Thank You Jeff Ulbrich And Good Luck In Atlanta!

You might have heard the rumors mid-signing day and even caught wind of head coach Jim Mora‘s remarks on the matter later that afternoon, but today it was confirmed that defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is leaving UCLA to take over as the linebackers coach for the Atlanta Falcons. After three seasons with the Bruins, with one running the Bruins defense, Ulbrich is off to the NFL.

UCLA Bruins

In looking to change the culture of Bruin football, Ulbrich was hired by Mora in 2012 to help resurrect a dormant program that had one successful season in the previous eight years. Ulbrich had been an integral part in both developing linebackers and running Special Teams for the next two seasons.

To say he had an eye for the LBs is an understatement as he helped turn converted running back Anthony Barr into a Lott IMPACT Trophy winner as a top linebacker. He also helped Barr and former Bruin Jordan Zumwalt develop into NFL linebackers.

Ulbrich had other talents as well, especially when it came to Special Teams. In 2013, after a tremendous season, he won the FootballScoop Special Teams Coordinator of the Year. His gift for the game of football had prompted Mora to promote him to Defensive Coordinator for the 2014 season after former DC Lou Spanos left for a job as a position coach for the Tennessee Titans.

Nov 1, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich (right) talks to his players during the first quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

In 2014, amid some rocky moments in his first season running the UCLA defense, Ulbrich was able to find some success with the Bruins. Not only did his squad have the third best defense in the Pac-12 Conference, but he was once again able to guide one of his players to winning the Lott IMPACT Trophy as Eric Kendricks claimed the honor this past season. Not to mention Kendricks also won the Butkus Award for top linebacker in the country.

Although it would have been great to see Ulbrich improve his defensive squad in his second year, he will definitely be a commodity for the Falcons in the next few seasons.

Thank you Coach Brick! Go Bruins!